GHISELLE Bautista delivered a rousing performance in the deciding singles match to keep De La Salle University’s Final Four hopes alive in the UAAP Season 88 Women’s Badminton Tournament on Thursday at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall in Malate, Manila.
After falling short in Wednesday’s decider against National University, the Lady Green Shuttlers’ captain made sure history would not repeat itself. Bautista sealed the victory with a gritty 22-20, 21-11 win over Adamson University’s Key Aubrey Fuerte, powering La Salle to a breakthrough 3-2 triumph this season and forcing a share of fourth place with their victims.
“Katulad nga kahapon nung naglalaro kami, although crucial din ‘yung laban namin against NU, sinabi ko lang sa kanila na be patient and kailangan kaming maging consistent sa loob ng court. Kasi sometimes nagmamadali sila at do’n kami nape-pressure,” said longtime head coach Owen Lopez.
“Ine-encourage ko lang din mga players ko na since team event ‘to, ‘yung players need individually na magstep up.”
It was a stunning comeback for De La Salle, who found themselves on the brink of defeat after Adamson took an early 2-0 lead that nearly secured its potential first-ever Final Four appearance.
Abbygail Barcelona outlasted Mia Manguilimotan in a tight 21-19, 21-19 battle, before rookie Khylle Agura scored her first-ever UAAP victory with a 21-18, 21-15 finish over Zashca Tuario.
But the Lady Green Shuttlers refused to fold, dominating the doubles rubbers to set up their captain’s heroics. Bautista teamed up with Via Antonio to dispatch Barcelona and Rhealyn Pedron, 21-16, 21-18, before Ma. Army Espe and Manguilimotan overwhelmed Graziel Cabriga and Nicole Ondol, 21-13, 21-12, in the second doubles match.
Meanwhile, last season’s finalists University of the Philippines and Ateneo de Manila University continued their perfect runs, both scoring their fourth straight wins to remain unbeaten.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Defending champion UP leaned on senior Susmita Ramos, who delivered under pressure in the deciding singles match to edge National University, 3-2. Ramos, a 2023 SEA Games bronze medalist, went the distance before prevailing over Karyll Rio, 21-15, 17-21, 21-16, in nearly an hour of play.
The Fighting Maroons surged to a 2-1 lead after rookie Brys Fuggan cruised past Hailene Diaz, 21-6, 25-23, and the pair of Ramos and newcomer Krissa De Leon dominated Ysabel Amora, 21-16, 21-6, in the first doubles match.
Amora, however, gave NU the early advantage by defeating reigning MVP Anthea Gonzalez, 21-19, 22-20, in the opening singles match, before the rookie duo of Diaz and Alhana Mabale were awarded the second doubles win after a dramatic turn of events.
UP’s Gonzalez and captain Kimberly Lao were at match point, 21-20, when Lao landed awkwardly from an overhead shot and felt pain in her knee, prompting medical attention.
Although the Lady Bulldogs won that point and forced deuce, the Fighting Maroons’ senior managed to equalize with a drop smash.
Unfortunately, Lao’s injury worsened during the next rallies, forcing her to retire as NU took the second set, 18-21, 24-22.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Meanwhile, Ateneo soared to a commanding 2-0 lead over University of Santo Tomas behind dominant singles wins from Althea Ocampo and Mika De Guzman.
Ocampo breezed past Christine Dorega, 21-14, 21-13, while De Guzman delivered a clinical 21-9, 21-8 win against Reshane Nicor.
UST’s Jennifer Saladaga and Rhafi Santos managed to prevent a sweep with a 21-17, 13-21, 21-15 upset over De Guzman and Jochelle Alvarez, but Ateneo’s Angel Valle sealed the deal with a 21-18, 21-14 victory against Hanie Mae De Jesus, completing the 4-1 team win.
Rookies Althea Hernandez and Althea Fuentespina also made their mark, securing the Blue Eagles’ fourth straight victory with a 22-20, 21-16 triumph over UST’s Marielle Alvarez and De Jesus in the first doubles match.
With both teams now undefeated at 4-0, Ateneo and UP are set for a clash on Saturday at 1 p.m. to determine the top seed entering the Final Four.
Meanwhile, the remaining squads will battle it out for the last two semifinal berths.
NU (2-2) aims to avoid complications with a win over Adamson (1-3), while UST (0-4) faces a must-win situation against La Salle (1-3) to keep its streak of Final Four appearances alive.
